ScienceDaily: Computers & Math News

Researchers use oxides to flip graphene conductivity Posted: 26 Jan 2015 01:46 PM PST A team of researchers has demonstrated a new way to change the amount of electrons that reside in a given region within a piece of graphene, they have a proof-of-principle in making the fundamental building blocks of semiconductor devices using the 2-D material.

Students master math through movement using Kinect for Windows Posted: 26 Jan 2015 10:52 AM PST Significant gains in the understanding of angles and angle measurements by elementary school students are seen in those who performed body-based tasks while interacting with a Kinect for Windows mathematics program.

Electronic circuits with reconfigurable pathways closer to reality Posted: 26 Jan 2015 09:49 AM PST Multitasking circuits capable of reconfiguring themselves in real time and switching functions as the need arises -- this is the promising application stemming from a new discovery. Other potential uses: miniaturizing our electronic devices and developing resilient circuits.

Largest-ever autism genome study finds most siblings have different autism-risk genes Posted: 26 Jan 2015 09:46 AM PST The largest-ever autism genome study reveals that the disorder's genetic underpinnings are more complex than previously thought: Most siblings who have autism have different autism-linked genes. The study's data is part of the historic first upload of approximately 1,000 autism genomes to the Autism Speaks MSSNG portal in Google Cloud Platform. The data will be openly available for global research in order to speed understanding of autism and the development of individualized treatments.

Researchers identify materials to improve biofuel, petroleum processing Posted: 26 Jan 2015 08:23 AM PST Using one of the largest supercomputers in the world, a team of researchers has identified potential materials that could improve the production of ethanol and petroleum products. The discovery could lead to major efficiencies and cost savings in these industries.

Researchers make magnetic graphene Posted: 26 Jan 2015 06:59 AM PST Graphene has many desirable properties. Magnetism alas is not one of them. Magnetism can be induced in graphene by doping it with magnetic impurities, but this tends to disrupt graphene's electronic properties. Now physicists have found a way to induce magnetism in graphene while also preserving graphene's electronic properties. They have accomplished this by bringing a graphene sheet very close to a magnetic insulator -- an electrical insulator with magnetic properties.

How cancer turns good cells to the dark side Posted: 26 Jan 2015 06:57 AM PST Biophysicists reveal how cancer uses notch-signaling pathways to promote metastasis. Their computer models provide a fresh theoretical framework for scientists who study ways to target cancer progression.

Entanglement on a chip: Breakthrough promises secure communications and faster computers Posted: 26 Jan 2015 06:57 AM PST A team of scientists has developed, for the first time, a microscopic component that is small enough to fit onto a standard silicon chip that can generate a continuous supply of entangled photons.

Medical radiation may be reduced to one-sixth with new mathematical discovery Posted: 26 Jan 2015 05:40 AM PST One of this century's most significant mathematical discoveries may reduce the number of measuring points to one-sixth of the present level. This means reduced exposure to radiation and faster medical imaging diagnostics.

New programming language for fast simulations Posted: 26 Jan 2015 05:39 AM PST Programming is a time-consuming process, and it may take many years to develop even a basic simulator. Researchers want to simplify this process. They have created a language similar to the language of mathematics. This allows them to subdivide the work process in such a way that reduces the time it takes to develop a simulator. A mathematician can then focus on what he or she knows best -- the simulator's area of application. Programming experts, on the other hand, can sit and work with "the translator" in order that the translated code can run faster, and they don't have to worry about the application.

Digital storytelling promotes HIV/AIDS education in Africa Posted: 26 Jan 2015 05:38 AM PST Children from poor backgrounds and with no previous technological experience are able to use digital storytelling to share their secrets and fears online, shows a recent doctoral thesis. The author has been involved in various projects in southern Africa focusing on the development of technologies that make it possible for children and youth to share their experiences of HIV and AIDS. Digital storytelling incorporates various types of media, including text, images, animations and sound.